Rings and methods of fabricating the same

ABSTRACT

A ring is provided. The ring includes a shank and a head extending from the shank. The head defines a gemstone pocket and includes a gallery having at least one framework shaped to define a symbol. The framework has an interior face, an exterior face, and a thickness between the interior face and the exterior face such that the interior face defines a periphery of the pocket and such that the symbol extends through the entire thickness of the framework.

BACKGROUND

The field of this disclosure relates generally to customizable articlesand, more particularly, to customizable jewelry such as rings.

At least some known merchants offer customizable jewelry includingengraved symbols (e.g., alphanumeric characters) selected by theconsumer. However, over time, known engraved symbols on jewelry maybecome less pronounced due at least in part to the surface grindingand/or build-up of dirt associated with normal wear. Moreover, engravinggenerally needs to be performed on flat, continuous surfaces of thejewelry (e.g., the inner surfaces of the ring shank), which tend to bethe smaller and less noticeable surfaces of the jewelry. It would beuseful, therefore, to provide jewelry (e.g., a ring) with symbols thatare more pronounced and durable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a ring is provided. The ring includes a shank and a headextending from the shank. The head defines a gemstone pocket andincludes a gallery having at least one framework shaped to define asymbol. The framework has an interior face, an exterior face, and athickness between the interior face and the exterior face such that theinterior face defines a periphery of the pocket and such that the symbolextends through the entire thickness of the framework.

In another aspect, a ring is provided. The ring includes a gemstone, ashank, and a head extending from the shank and defining a pocket inwhich the gemstone is set. The head includes a gallery having at leastone framework shaped to define a symbol. The framework has an interiorface, an exterior face, and a thickness between the interior face andthe exterior face such that the interior face defines a periphery of thepocket and such that the symbol extends through the entire thickness ofthe framework.

In yet another aspect, a method of fabricating a ring is provided. Themethod includes forming a shank and one of coupling and forming a headon the shank. The head defines a gemstone pocket and includes a galleryhaving at least one framework shaped to define a symbol. The frameworkhas an interior face, an exterior face, and a thickness between theinterior face and the exterior face such that the interior face definesa periphery of the pocket and such that the symbol extends through theentire thickness of the framework.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary ring;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the ring shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the ring shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of a head of the ring shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates rings by way of exampleand not by way of limitation. The description should enable one ofordinary skill in the art to make the rings, and the descriptiondescribes several embodiments of rings, including what is presentlybelieved to be the best modes of making the rings. Exemplary methods aredescribed herein as being useful for making rings. However, it iscontemplated that the methods have general application to a broad rangeof articles in a variety of fields other than jewelry.

FIGS. 1-3 are various views of an exemplary ring 100. Specifically, FIG.1 is a front view of ring 100, FIG. 2 is a side view of ring 100, andFIG. 3 is a top view of ring 100. In the exemplary embodiment, ring 100includes a shank 102, at least one head 104, at least one first (orfeature) gemstone 106 mounted to head 104, and a plurality of second (oraccent) gemstones 108 mounted to shank 102 and/or head 104. Althoughshank 102 and head 104 are integrally formed together as a single,unitary structure in the exemplary embodiment, in other embodiments head104 may be coupled to shank 102 using any suitable process (e.g., abrazing process). Moreover, although ring 100 has only one head 104 (andassociated gemstone 106) that is centrally located atop of shank 102 inthe exemplary embodiment, ring 100 may have any suitable number of heads104 (and associated gemstones 106) arranged atop of shank 102 in anysuitable manner in other embodiments (e.g., ring 100 may have a centerhead and pair of side heads positioned adjacent to the center head).

In the exemplary embodiment, shank 102 has a bottom (or sizing) segment110, a pair of opposing side segments 112 that extend upward from bottomsegment 110, a bridge 114 that extends between side segments 112opposite bottom segment 110 such that head 104 is mounted on bridge 114,and a pair of shoulder segments 116 that each extend upward from sidesegments 112 to head 104. More specifically, shank 102 has a first sidesegment 118, a second side segment 120, a first shoulder segment 122extending from first side segment 118 to head 104, and a second shouldersegment 124 that extends from second side segment 120 to head 104. Assuch, first shoulder segment 122, bridge 114, and head 104 collectivelydefine a first gap 126 (or airline) therebetween, and second shouldersegment 124, bridge 114, and head 104 collectively define a second gap128 (or airline) therebetween. First gap 126 and second gap 128 providea line-of-sight through ring 100. Alternatively, side segments 112,bridge 114, and/or shoulder segments 116 may be arranged in any suitablemanner that facilitates enabling ring 100 to be fabricated as set forthherein (e.g., ring 100 may not have gaps 126 and/or 128).

In the exemplary embodiment, each shoulder segment 116 includes a pairof shoulder members 130 that diverge from their respective side segment112 towards head 104, thereby defining a seam 132 therebetween. Morespecifically, in the exemplary embodiment, ring 100 is designed as asplit-shoulder ring, such that a bottom 150 of gemstone 106 is viewablethrough seams 132. Moreover, each shoulder segment 116 (i.e., eachshoulder member 130) includes a plurality of gemstones 108 mountedthereto. Although gemstones 108 are mounted along each shoulder member130 in a shared-prong arrangement (i.e., via a plurality of secondprongs 134 that each secure more than one gemstone 108), gemstones 108may be mounted to shoulder members 130 in any suitable manner in otherembodiments (i.e., shoulder members 130 may not have second prongs 134,but rather, gemstones 108 may be channel set or pave set).Alternatively, each shoulder segment 116 may not include divergingshoulder members 130 in other embodiments (e.g., ring 100 may not be asplit-shoulder ring in some embodiments).

In the exemplary embodiment, head 104 includes a prong-type setting ofgemstone 106. More specifically, head 104 includes a rail 136, aplurality of first prongs 138 that extend upwardly from rail 136, and agallery 140 beneath rail 136 and above bridge 114, such that rail 136supports gemstone 106 from underneath. Although prongs 138 areillustrated in a linear shape, prongs 138 will ultimately be bent intoshape such that prongs 138 overlap gemstone 106 from above to securegemstone 106 to rail 136. As shown in FIG. 3, although rail 136 isannular, circumscribes gemstone 106, and includes a plurality ofgemstones 108 mounted thereto in the exemplary embodiment (i.e., rail136 has a halo-type design), rail 136 may have any other suitable shape(e.g., rail 136 may not be annular), and/or may not have gemstones 108mounted thereto in other embodiments. Moreover, although head 104 isdesigned for a prong-type setting of gemstone 106 in the exemplaryembodiment, head 104 may be designed for setting gemstone 106 in anyother suitable manner in other embodiments (e.g., rail 136 maycircumferentially overlap at least part of gemstone 106 for securinggemstone 106 without the use of prongs 138, such that head 104 isdesigned for a bezel-type setting of gemstone 106).

In the exemplary embodiment, gallery 140 includes a first framework 142and a second framework 144 that are separated from one another bysegments 122 and 124. Each framework 142 and 144 includes a lattice-likearrangement of frame members 146 that extends vertically between bridge114 and rail 136, and horizontally between shoulder segments 116, todefine a plurality of irregularly spaced and/or irregularly shapedopenings 148 through which bottom 150 of gemstone 106 is viewable. Morespecifically, as shown in FIG. 2, each framework 142 and 144 is convex(or dome-shaped) in its vertical extension between bridge 114 and rail136, and, as shown in FIG. 1, is convex (or dome-shaped) in itshorizontal extension between shoulder segments 116. As such, firstframework 142 and second framework 144 collectively define a generallyhemispherical pocket 151 in which gemstone bottom 150 is positioned.

In some embodiments, first framework 142 and/or second framework 144 maynot be convex (or dome-shaped) in their respective vertical extensions,and/or may not be convex (or dome-shaped) in their respective horizontalextensions, such that pocket 151 may not be generally hemispherical inshape. Moreover, if shank 102 does not include shoulder segments 116 inother embodiments, first framework 142 may not be separated from secondframework 144 by shoulder segments 116 but, rather, first framework 142and second framework 144 may instead be seamlessly interconnected todefine a single, unitary framework that extends completely around (orcircumscribes) pocket 151. Although first framework 142 and secondframework 144 are designed to structurally support rail 136 and, hence,gemstone 106 in the exemplary embodiment, first framework 142 and secondframework 144 may not be designed to structurally support rail 136and/or gemstone 106 in other embodiments but, rather, may be designed toserve only an aesthetic or decorative function.

FIG. 4 is a side view of head 104. Although only first framework 142 isshown in FIG. 4 and described below, it should be noted that secondframework 144 is constructed in the same manner as first framework 142.In the exemplary embodiment, frame members 146 of first framework 142include an arrangement of first frame members 152, an arrangement ofsecond frame members 154, and at least one third frame member 155positioned between first frame members 152 and second frame members 154.In other embodiments, first framework 142 may have any suitable numberof frame member arrangements that facilitates enabling ring 100 to bemade in the manner described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, each frame member 146 has an interior face156, an exterior face 158, and an intermediate surface 160 extendingbetween faces 156 and 158. Interior faces 156 are inwardly directed anddefine a periphery of pocket 151 in which gemstone bottom 150 ispositioned, and exterior faces 158 are outwardly directed and areexposed to the outside environment surrounding ring 100, such that eachframe member 146 serves as a partition between pocket 151 and theoutside environment. Thus, each intermediate surface 160 defines atleast part of an opening 148 in first framework 142, such thatopening(s) 148 provides a viewpoint from the outside environment intopocket 151 through first framework 142. In other embodiments, interiorfaces 156 of frame members 146 may not define a periphery of pocket 151,and/or intermediate surfaces 160 may not define openings 148 in firstframework 142. Alternatively, each frame member 146 may have anysuitable number of faces (and/or intermediate surfaces) arranged in anysuitable manner that facilitates enabling ring 100 to be made in themanner described herein.

First frame members 152, second frame members 154, and/or third framemembers 155 are shaped and oriented to define at least one symbol (e.g.,an alphanumeric character). In the exemplary embodiment, first framemembers 152 are shaped and oriented to define a first alphanumericcharacter (a first alphabetic character), second frame members 154 areshaped and oriented to define a second alphanumeric character (e.g., asecond alphabetic character) that is different than the firstalphanumeric character, and third frame member 155 is shaped andoriented to define a partition between the alphanumeric characters offirst frame members 152 and second frame members 154. More specifically,in the exemplary embodiment, third frame member 155 is shaped andoriented to define a column of substantially diamond-shaped structures166 stacked point-to-point. Although frame members 146 (e.g., firstframe members 152 and second frame members 154) are shaped and orientedto define symbols in the form of alphanumeric characters in theexemplary embodiment, in other embodiments frame members 146 may beshaped and oriented to define any suitable types of symbols such as, forexample, but not limited to logos, inanimate objects, and/or animals.

In the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of gemstones 108 are mounted tothird frame member 155 (i.e., to each diamond-shaped structure 166).However, in the exemplary embodiment, no gemstones 108 are mounted tofirst frame members 152 or second frame members 154. In otherembodiments, gemstones 108 may be mounted to first frame members 152,second frame members 154, and/or third frame member(s) 155 in any othersuitable manner (e.g., none of first frame members 152, second framemembers 154, and third frame member(s) 155 have gemstones 108 mountedthereto in some embodiments). Alternatively, frame members 146 may beshaped and oriented to define any suitable number of symbols positionedin any suitable manner relative to one another. In one example, a symboldefined by first frame members 152 may be the same as (or differentthan) a symbol defined by second frame members 154 and/or third framemember(s) 155. In another example, frame members 146 may not be shapedand/or oriented to define any readily identifiable symbols.

In the exemplary embodiment, at least one frame member 146 (e.g., atleast one first frame member 152) of first framework 142 is adjacent tofirst shoulder segment 122, and at least one frame member 146 (e.g., atleast one second frame member 154) is adjacent to second shouldersegment 124, with other frame members 146 collectively extending theentire horizontal distance between first shoulder segment 122 and secondshoulder segment 124. As such, at least one first frame member 152defines part of first gap 126 beneath first shoulder segment 122, and atleast one second frame member 154 defines part of second gap 128 beneathsecond shoulder segment 124. In some embodiments, if shank 102 does notinclude shoulder segments 122 and/or 124 (and, hence, does not haverespective gaps 126 and/or 128), at least one first frame member 152 offirst framework 142 may be positioned adjacent to at least one secondframe member 154 of second framework 144, such that frame members 146 offirst frame work 142 and second framework 144 collectively extend around(or circumscribe) the entire pocket 151.

Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, at least one first frame member152 and/or at least one second frame member 154 extends the entirevertical distance between bridge 114 and rail 136, such that theassociated symbol (e.g., at least one leg of the associated alphanumericcharacter) defined by first frame members 152 and/or second framemembers 154 extends the entire distance between bridge 114 and rail 136.In other embodiments, frame members 146 may collectively extend onlypartially across the entire horizontal distance between shouldersegments 122 and 124, and/or at least one frame member 146 may extendonly partially across the entire vertical distance between bridge 114and rail 136. Although all frame members 146 of first framework 142 areintegrally formed together as a single-piece, unitary structure in theexemplary embodiment, at least one frame member 146 may be coupled(e.g., brazed) to at least one other frame member 146 in any suitablemanner in other embodiments.

In the exemplary embodiment, each frame member 146 (and, hence, firstframework 142) has a thickness 162 defined from its interior face 156 toits exterior face 158. As such, the shape of each respective symbol offirst framework 142 is defined throughout (or extends through) theentire thickness 162 of each associated frame member 146 (and, hence,the entire thickness 162 of first framework 142). For example, all framemembers 146 may have substantially the same thickness 162, and/or rail136 may have a thickness 164 that is substantially the same as thickness162 of at least one frame member 146. In some embodiments, the thickness162 of at least one frame member 146 may be different than the thickness162 of at least one other frame member 146 (e.g., third frame member(s)155 may have a thickness 162 that is wider than that of first framemembers 152 and/or second frame members 154). In other embodiments,thickness 162 of frame member(s) 146 may be less than thickness 164 ofrail 136. Alternatively, frame members 146 and rail 136 may each haveany suitable thickness that facilitates enabling ring 100 to be made inthe manner described herein.

In one embodiment of a system for use in fabricating and selling acustomizable article (e.g., a customizable piece of jewelry such as, forexample, ring 100), a consumer is permitted to access an Internetwebpage on which the consumer is provided with an interface forselecting, personalizing, viewing, and purchasing articles. Theinterface provides the consumer with a plurality of predesigned articlesfor purchase, each of which has at least one feature that can bepersonalized. For example, the consumer may be provided with a pluralityof different predesigned ring styles for personalization, one such ringstyle being that of ring 100.

If the consumer selects ring 100 for personalization, the consumer isthen prompted to select a size and a material (e.g., a desired metal)for shank 102 and head 104, and optionally a size, type, and/or cut ofgemstone 106 and/or 108. The consumer may then populate at least onedata field with at least one symbol(s) (e.g., alphanumeric character(s))to be included at at least one predefined location(s) on shank 102and/or head 104 (e.g., in gallery 140). In one embodiment, the consumermay populate a first data field with a first alphanumeric character tobe defined by first frame members 152, and a second data field with asecond alphanumeric character to be defined by second frame members 154.For example, ring 100 may be an engagement ring, and the consumer maypersonalize ring 100 such that the first alphanumeric character input isindicative of a first person's first initial, and the secondalphanumeric character input is indicative of a second person's firstinitial.

As the consumer enters the desired symbol(s) in the associated datafield(s) of the interface, the interface generates, in real time, aviewable rendering of shank 102 and head 104 with gemstone(s) 106 and/or108 set thereon. The updated rendering of shank 102 and head 104includes the symbol(s) input by the consumer, and the consumer ispermitted to rotate the updated rendering in three-dimensional space(i.e., in 360 degrees) via the interface. As such, the consumer can viewthe updated shank 102 and head 104 from any desired angle. Optionally,in some embodiments, the consumer may not be permitted to rotate theupdated rendering in 360 degrees, and/or the consumer may not be able toselect or customize other features (e.g., the material) of shank 102.Notably, each time the consumer populates one of the associated datafields with a different symbol, the rendering of shank 102 and head 104is updated.

When the consumer is satisfied with the appearance of shank 102 and head104 in the viewable rendering, the consumer is prompted to select anicon indicating a desire to purchase ring 100. The consumer is thendirected to another webpage on which the consumer is provided with aplurality of data fields for entering required personal and/or paymentinformation to complete the purchase of ring 100. After the personalinformation is input into the associated data fields and payment ismade, the specifications for ring 100 (e.g., the style number, size,material type, personalized symbol(s), etc.) are automaticallytransmitted to a manufacturer. Utilizing suitable computer-aided design(CAD) software, the manufacturer inputs the specifications (e.g., thepersonalized symbol(s)) into a predesigned CAD model for shank 102 andhead 104 of ring 100. A finalized CAD model for shank 102 and head 104is then sent to a 3D printer at which a wax model is fabricated. Shank102 and head 104 are ultimately cast (e.g., in the metal type and sizeselected by the consumer), and are subsequently cleaned and polished,and associated gemstones 106 and 108 are then set therein as needed.Optionally, ring 100 may instead be printed on a 3D printer with nocasting needed. Ring 100 is then shipped to the consumer.

Some system embodiments involve the use of one or more electronic orcomputing devices. Such devices typically include a controller orprocessing device such as a general purpose central processing unit(CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microcontroller, a reducedinstruction set computer (RISC) processor, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic controller (PLC), afield programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processing (DSP)device, and/or any other circuit or processing device capable ofexecuting the functions described herein. The methods described hereinmay be encoded as executable instructions embodied in a computerreadable medium, including, without limitation, a storage device and/ora memory device. Such instructions, when executed by the controller orprocessing device, cause the controller or processing device to performat least some of the method steps described herein. The above examplesare exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way thedefinition and/or meaning of the terms controller and processing device.

The above-described embodiments include at least the following technicaleffects: (1) providing a customized article such as, for example, acustomized piece of jewelry; (2) providing a ring with at least onecustomizable symbol; (3) providing a ring with structural member(s)shaped to define at least one customizable symbol; (4) providing a ringwith a gallery having frame members shaped to define at least onecustomizable symbol; and (5) providing a ring with a gallery having atleast one customizable symbol the shape of which extends through theentire structural thickness of the gallery.

The methods and systems described herein facilitate providing acustomizable article. More specifically, the methods and systemsfacilitate providing a customizable piece of jewelry such as, forexample, a ring. In that regard, the methods and systems facilitateenabling a consumer to select at least one symbol for inclusion on thering. The methods and systems further facilitate shaping structuralmember(s) of the ring to define the symbol(s). As such, the symbol(s)are not engraved in the structural members but, rather, the structuralmember(s) are shaped throughout their entire thicknesses to define thesymbol(s). The symbol(s) thus extends through an entire structuralsegment of the ring such as, for example, the entire structuralframework in the gallery of the ring. The methods and systems therebyenable a consumer to locate symbol(s) in a wider range of locations onthe ring. Moreover, the methods and systems enable providing a ring withsymbol(s) that are more pronounced and durable over time.

Exemplary embodiments of rings and methods of fabricating the same aredescribed above in detail. The systems and methods described herein arenot limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather,components of the systems and steps of the methods may be utilizedindependently and separately from other system components, or othermethod steps, described herein. For example, the systems and methodsdescribed herein may have other applications not limited to practicewith customizable jewelry, as described herein. Rather, the systems andmethods described herein can be implemented and utilized in connectionwith various other industries.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specificembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of theclaims.

1. A ring comprising: a shank; and a head extending from said shank,said head defining a gemstone pocket and comprising a gallery having atleast one framework purposely shaped to define at least one alphanumericsymbol, wherein said framework comprises an interior face, an exteriorface, and a thickness between said interior face and said exterior facesuch that said interior face defines a periphery of said pocket and suchthat said alphanumeric symbol extends through the entire thickness ofsaid framework.
 2. A ring in accordance with claim 1, wherein said headcomprises a gemstone support rail, and wherein said shank comprises abridge beneath said gallery, said framework extending from said bridgeto said rail.
 3. A ring in accordance with claim 2, wherein said shankcomprises a first shoulder segment and a second shoulder segment, saidhead positioned between said shoulder segments such that said frameworkextends from said first shoulder segment to said second shouldersegment.
 4. A ring in accordance with claim 1, wherein said frameworkcomprises an arrangement of first frame members and an arrangement ofsecond frame members, said arrangement of first frame members defining afirst alphanumeric symbol, said arrangement of second frame membersdefining a second alphanumeric symbol different than said firstalphanumeric symbol.
 5. (canceled)
 6. A ring in accordance with claim 1,wherein said framework is dome-shaped such that said pocket is generallyhemispherical.
 7. A ring comprising: a gemstone; a shank; and a headextending from said shank and defining a pocket in which said gemstoneis set, said head comprising a gallery having at least one frameworkpurposely shaped to define at least one alphanumeric symbol, whereinsaid framework comprises an interior face, an exterior face, and athickness between said interior face and said exterior face such thatsaid interior face defines a periphery of said pocket and such that saidalphanumeric symbol extends through the entire thickness of saidframework.
 8. A ring in accordance with claim 7, wherein said headcomprises a rail that supports said gemstone, and wherein said shankcomprises a bridge beneath said gallery, said framework extending fromsaid bridge to said rail.
 9. A ring in accordance with claim 8, whereinsaid shank comprises a first shoulder segment and a second shouldersegment, said head positioned between said shoulder segments such thatsaid framework extends from said first shoulder segment to said secondshoulder segment.
 10. A ring in accordance with claim 7, wherein saidframework comprises an arrangement of first frame members and anarrangement of second frame members, said arrangement of first framemembers defining a first alphanumeric symbol, said arrangement of secondframe members defining a second alphanumeric symbol different than saidfirst alphanumeric symbol.
 11. (canceled)
 12. A ring in accordance withclaim 7, wherein said framework is convex.
 13. A ring in accordance withclaim 7, wherein said framework is dome-shaped such that said pocket isgenerally hemispherical.
 14. A method of fabricating a ring, said methodcomprising: forming a shank; and one of coupling and forming a head onthe shank, the head defining a gemstone pocket and including a galleryhaving at least one framework purposely shaped to define at least onealphanumeric symbol, wherein the framework has an interior face, anexterior face, and a thickness between the interior face and theexterior face such that the interior face defines a periphery of thepocket and such that the alphanumeric symbol extends through the entirethickness of the framework.
 15. A method in accordance with claim 14,further comprising: forming the head with a gemstone support rail;forming the shank with a bridge beneath the gallery; and forming theframework to extend from the bridge to the rail.
 16. A method inaccordance with claim 15, further comprising: forming the shank with afirst shoulder segment and a second shoulder segment; and positioningthe head between the shoulder segments such that the framework extendsfrom the first shoulder segment to the second shoulder segment.
 17. Amethod in accordance with claim 14, further comprising forming theframework with an arrangement of first frame members and an arrangementof second frame members, such that the arrangement of first framemembers defines a first alphanumeric symbol, and such that thearrangement of second frame members defines a second alphanumeric symboldifferent than the first alphanumeric symbol.
 18. (canceled)
 19. Amethod in accordance with claim 14, further comprising forming theframework to be convex.
 20. A method in accordance with claim 19,further comprising forming the framework to be dome-shaped such that thepocket is generally hemispherical.